Dhoni highest taxpayer in Jharkhand

RANCHI: Skipper of the Indian cricket team, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has endeared himself not only to the entire nation, but also the more-difficult-to please Income-Tax department. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Mahi, as he's fondly called, became the highest tax-paying individual in Jharkhand, having coughed up Rs 73 lakh until now — a figure that's likely to jump to a whopping Rs 4 crore by the end of the current fiscal 2007-08.Income Tax commissioner, Prayag Jha, told TOI that Dhoni had topped the list of individual taxpayers in 2006 as well. This year he paid an advance tax of Rs 84,000; but, after an IT department reminder, he deposited another Rs 73 lakh. Lady luck has been shining on Dhoni ever since his 148 against Pakistan in 2005 in Vishakhapatnam, which was the highest score by a wicketkeeper batsman against Pakistan, followed by 183 not out against Sri Lanka. His extraordinary cricketing feats made him top the ICC cricket ratings and he was soon showered with gifts and endorsement offers.Dhoni got the keys to a spacious flat in Ranchi along with life membership of Ranchi Club — one of the costliest in the region. Though IT officials expect him to file a return of Rs 4 crore, the figure could go higher. Dhoni's parents live at a Mecon flat gifted to his father Pan Singh as a token of appreciation for his son's achievements in world cricket. He also has a plot of land gifted by the Jharkhand government on Harmu Road, where a lavish bungalow is coming up. It will have a swimming pool, first-floor parking, gymnasium, roof-garden and the works.